Thermostat support



1930- w. w. CARSON, JR 1,784,042

THERMOSTAT SUPPORT Filed Oct. 6, 1927 3&3 lan/um, /MQM+M/ Gum: we 11$ Patented Dec. 9, 1930 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM W. CARSON, JR., KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR TO THE FULTON SYLPHON COMPANY, OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE THERMOSTAT SUPPORT Application filed October 6, .1927. Serial N0. 224,482.

This invention relates to thermostaticallyoperated devices, and particularlyto thermostatically-operated valve mechanism adapted to control the circulation of cooling medium through the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The invention is capable of embodiment both in thermostaticallyoperated valve mechanism of the choker type, wherein the opening and closing of the valve determines the quantity of cooling medium in circulation, and in thermostatically-operated valve mechanism of the by-pass type, wherein the opening and closing of the valve determines the path of circulation or flow of said cooling medium.

An object of this invention is to provide a simplified thermostatically-operated valve unit composed of light but. relatively strong and rigid parts which may be inexpensively formed and assembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described with novel means for mounting the thermostat.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel thermostat support which may be formed from simple elements blanked from sheet metal and bent to shape, and which is strong and durable but light and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, one of which is shown on the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

Referring in detail to the drawings wherein the same reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts in the several figures Fig. 1 is an axial section of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective elevation of said embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of said embodiment;

thermostat 10 in operative position.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of one of the supporting elements;

Fig. 5 is a plan of one of the blanks from which the supporting element is formed; and

Fig. 6 is an end view of said element after it is bent to shape.

In the form shown, 10 designates, more or less schematically, any suitable thermostat having a flexible corrugated tubular wall 11 to the opposite ends of which are attached in any suitable way, as by soldering or brazing, end walls 12 and 13. End wall 13 is shown as provided with a stem.14, formed integrally therewith or suitably attached thereto, and preferably made hollow to constitute a filling tube so that a thermosensitive fluid of any suitable character may be introduced therethrough into the interior of the thermostat 10after which said filling tube may be sealed in any suitable way as by a cork 15 and solder 16.

In conformity with the present invention novel means are provided for mounting the As shown, said supporting means are so associated with said thermostat that it is held statiohary intermediate its ends and both end walls are movable, so that both may be operatively connected to or constitute valve members, but it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited to a structure or arrangement of 'this character, as the supporting means may be associated with the thermostat adjacent one end thereof, so as to render said end stationary, with the opposite end movable and operatively connected to or constituting the valve member.

Said supporting means for the thermostat is composed of a plate-like member 17, shown as annular in form, which may be conveniently stamped out of sheet metal, and a plurality of axially extending members 18 designed to be secured at one end to said plate-like member 17 and at the opposite end formed to support the thermostat by engagement in a corrugation of its tubular Wall. Plate-like member 17 may be of any suitable size and shape to cooperate with the elements with which the thermostatically-operated valve mechanism is associated and constitute asupporting flange therefor.

The axially extending elements are preferably, although not necessarily, formed from sheet metal and bent to shape, and any suitable number of saidelements may be employed. In the form shown, two supporting elements are formed from blanks of the shape shown in Fig. 4, each of said blanks comprising a semi-annular central portion 19 and a pair of arms 20, shown as making an angle of less than 180although said arms may be in alignment if desired. A blank of the configuration shown in Fig. 4 may be readily and economically stamped from sheet metal of any suitable character and thickness. The arms 20 are then bent to any suitable angle from the plane of the semi-annular portion 19, Figs. 5 and 6 showing said arms as bent to an angle of 90, although this is not essential, as the arms may be made to flare outwardly or inwardly depending upon the desired shape and size of the support.

In the form shown, two elements formed as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, are assembled about a thermostat by introducing the two semiannular portions 19 into any suitable annular recess in the tubular wall of the thermostat, in which position the two semi-annular portions meet to form a complete ring engaged in said recess or corrugation and embrace the thermostat therein. It is not essential, however, that the ring sections meet to constitute a complete ring. The number of supporting elements may also be increased as desired and their central portions shaped to constitute a complete ring or not, as desired. Moreover, while two arms have been shown on each supporting element, this is not essential, as more than two arms may be provided where a complete cage is desired, or only one arm may be provided on each element, particularly when more than two supporting elements are employed.

The supporting elements are attached to the plate-like member 17 in any suitable way. In the form shown, each of the supporting arms is provided at its end with a tab 21 and the member 17 is provided with a suitable number and arrangement of apertures 22 to correspond with the number and character of supporting elements supplied, so that said tabs may be introduced into said apertures 22 and bent over into engagement with the supporting member, and also soldered thereto if desired.

The supporting member 17 may constitute the valve seat as shown, or any suitable valve seat member may be attachedto said member 17. Member 17 is also shown as provided with a plurality of inwardly extending arms 23' which are) bent downwardly and formed to constitute or.carry a guide 24 for the valve stem 14. If desired, said guide may be so located as to also act as a stop to limit the expansive movement of the thermostat.

The valve stem 14 is provided with a valve member of any suitable construction and connected thereto in any suitable way. In the form shown, the valve member 25 is provided with an interiorly threaded hub 26 whereby it may be mounted on the threaded exterior end of the valve stem 14 and thereafter pinned, soldered, or otherwise suitably locked thereto.

It is to be expressly understood that the thermostat may be of any suitable type, and designed to expand in the event of leakage, if desired, but the details of construction of the thermostat itself constitute no part of the present invention.

It will therefore be percieved that a novel thermostatically-operated valve unit has been provided which includes a support for the a thermostat whichis simple in construction and inexpensive to make and assemble, be-

cause it is composed of parts which may be readily blanked from sheet metal and bent to shape.

While the embodiment of the invention illustrated on the drawings has been described with considerable particularity, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not restricted thereto, as the same is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, some of Which wi H. now readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, while changes may be made in the details of construction, arrangement and proportion of parts without departing from the spirit of this invention. While the support has been shown as engaging the thermostat in an annular recess or corrugation intermediate its ends so that the thermostat may expand in both directions, it is to be expressly understood that the support may engage the thermostat in an annular recess or corrugation at or adjacent to the end, so as to support the same for expansion in one direction only. Also, while the invention has been shown as embodied in a thermostatically-operated valve mechanism, the invention is suceptible of embodiment in the thermostat supports of other thermostatic devices. Reference is therefore to be had to the claims appended hereto for a definitionv of the limits-of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1 In a thermostatically-operated device, in combination with a thermostat having a corrugated tubular wall, a support for said thermostat including a plurality of elements each having an arcuate portion and on or more arms extending at an angle thereto, said arcuate portions forming an annular support embracing said thermostat within a recess formed by the corrugations thereof and said arms extending axially of said thermostat closely adjacent the tubular wall thereof.

2. In a thermostatically-operated device, in combination with a thermostat having a corrugated tubular wall, a support for said thermostat including a plurality of elements having portions constituting sections of an embracing flange and engaged in a corrugation of saidtubular wall, arms extending therefrom lengthwise of said tubular wall, and a member connected to said arms and retaining said elements in assembled relation with said thermostat.

3. In a thermostatically-operated device,in combination with a thermostat having a corrugated tubular wall, a support for said thermostat including a plurality of elements having portions constituting sections of an embracing flange and engaged in a corruption of said tubular wall, arms extending from said portion-s lengthwise of said tubular wall and provided with tabs at the extremities thereof, and a member provided with apertures in which said tabs are engaged and cooperating with said arms to retain said elements in assembled relation with said thermostat.

4. In a thermostatically-operated valve unit, in combination with a thermostat having a corrugated tubular wall and a valve member operatively connected thereto, a support for said thermostat including a plurality of elements having portions together forming an annular flange and engaged in a corrugation of said tubular wall, arms extending from said portions lengthwise of said tubular wall, and a valve seat member attached to and cooperating with said arms to retain said elements assembled with said thermostat.

5. In a thermostatically-operated valve unit, in combination with a thermostat hav ing a corrugated tubular wall and a valve stem operatively connected thereto, a support for said thermostat including a plurality of elements having portions together forming an annular flange and engaged in a corrugation of said tubular wall, arms extending from said portions lengthwise of said tubular wall, and a. member attached to said arms to retain said elements-in assembled relation with said thermostat, said member being provided with a guide for said valve stem. 6. In a thermostatically-operated valve unit, in combination with a thermostat having a corrugated tubular wall and a valve stem operatively connected thereto, a support for said thermostat including a plurality of elements provided with portions engaged in a corrugation of said tubular wall, arms extending from said portions lengthwise of said tubular wall, and a member attached to said .arms and retaining said elements in asrecess of said tubular wall, said elements having arms extending at an angle to the plane of said flange portions.

8. A support for a thermostat comprising a plurality of elements bent up from blanks each having a semi-circular arcuate portion and a plurality of arms extending therefrom and embracing an angle of less than 180, said arms when bent up adapted to extend lengthwise of the thermostat.

9. A support for a thermostat having a' corrugated tubular wall comprising elements having portions adapted to be engaged exteriorly in a corrugation of said tubular wall and arms extending at an angle to the plane thereof, and a member attached to said arms for retaining said elements in assembled relation about the exterior of said thermostat.

10. A support for a thermostat having a corrugated tubular wall comprising a pair of elements each having a semi-annular ring portion, a pair of arms extending at an angle to the plane thereof, and a member attached to said arms for retaining said elements in assembled relation embracing the thermostat.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

WILLIAM W. CARSON, J R. 

